The Mobil gas station on Memorial Parkway in Phillipsburg was robbed early this morning, according to authorities. Express-Times Photo | TIM WYNKOOP

Two teenage boys were arrested this morning after using a fake handgun to rob a Phillipsburg gas station, crashing a stolen car and fleeing police, according to police reports.

The 17-year-old males, whose identities were not released due to their ages, demanded money about 1:25 a.m. from a gas station attendant at a Mobil station on eastbound Memorial Parkway (Route 22), Phillipsburg police Chief James Faulborn said.

The alleged robbers were masked and approached the attendant with a gun that looked very realistic, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said. The juveniles made off with between $1,200 and $1,300, Burke said. Burke reported this morning that a pellet gun had been used in the robbery, but Faulborn said the gun, though not real, was not an Airsoft-type gun as originally described by authorities. He couldn't provide any further description of the weapon.

Police found that the car was stolen from the 200 block of Filmore Street in Phillipsburg, police said. The driver of the car sped away from police, crashing on New Brunswick Avenue near Sinclair Avenue, the post reports. The four occupants of the car, including the two alleged robbers, ran from the car, police said.

Masks, dark clothing, two handguns and the proceeds of the robbery were found in the vehicle, police said in the post.

It wasn't immediately clear how police identified the four occupants, or if the two handguns found were involved in the robbery. Pohatcong Township police didn't return several calls for more information. Burke said earlier today that police were able to link the two juveniles to the robbery with the help of the items found in the car and a juvenile, found with the vehicle, who was able to provide information.

Phillipsburg police arrested the two teens about four hours after the pursuit in Pohatcong Township. Faulborn wouldn't specify where they were found, citing the ongoing investigation.

It was unclear what role, if any, the other two individuals in the car played in the robbery, but no charges were reported against them.

Both teens are charged with armed robbery,conspiracy to
commit armed robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful
purpose, weapons offenses, possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding, resisting arrest and possession of burglary tools.

They were lodged in MorrisCounty JuvenileDetentionCenter. Warren County has contracted with Morris County since closing its juvenile detention facility, Warren Acres in Mansfield Township, at the end of 2008.